The victory ensures the Tigers make their sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in the last seven years. Benedict improved to 19-10 overall. Benedict will find out its opponent for the NCAA Tournament during Sunday’s NCAA selection show, which will be available on the NCAA website www.ncaa.com.
Marcus Goode, the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, led the Tigers with 17 points and 14 rebounds. Tydran Beaty added 13 points.
The Magicians took their first lead of the game 32-29 on a 3-pointer by Deyquan Nesbit with 12:38 left to play. The Tigers came back and tied the game when Trevor Eichelberger drilled a 3-pointer. That bucket kicked off a 13-0 run with Goode scoring back-to-back buckets inside, then Rickie Jackson and Antrjuan Albright hit back-to-back 3-pointers.
The Magicians got a three-point play from Calvin Stoudemire, who led the Magicians with 20 points, but then the Tigers scored eight more straight points, highlighted by a dunk from Beaty from a high-post pass from Goode. Another jumper by Beaty and a driving layup by Goode gave the Tigers a 50-35 lead with 3:19 left to play.
LeMoyne-Owen dropped to 18-11 on the season.
The Tigers shot 44.7 percent for the game. After missing all nine 3-point attempts in the first half, they made 5-of-10 in the second half. The Tigers held LeMoyne-Owen to 30 percent shooting for the game.
The first half was close, with the Tigers taking a 19-11 lead before the Magicians cut the lead to 19-17. Benedict pulled back ahead 23-19 before Stoudemire scored on a dunk and an offensive rebound, sandwiched around a Beaty free throw for a 24-21 halftime Benedict lead.
The championship is Benedict’s first since 2008 and their third all-time.
2012 SIAC Men’s Basketball All-Tournament Team
Brandon Davey, Fort Valley State University
Kedric Taylor, Paine College
Damian Ford, Stillman College
Calvin Stoudemire, LeMoyne-Owen College
Marcus Goode, Benedict College
Most Outstanding Player: Marcus Goode, Benedict College
Outstanding Coach of the Tournament: Fred Watson, Benedict College
2012 SIAC Men’s Runner-Up: LeMoyne-Owen College
